A consultation has been launched into options for thousands of new homes across Colchester.

Colchester Borough Council is producing a Local Plan to shape where development will take place up until to 2032.

Some background work has already taken place to shape estimated numbers of new homes and related infrastructure needed.

The authority is now consulting on its initial Issues and Options consultation, asking residents and businesses for any planning issues they think the plan should address, and comments will be added to more evidence being collected to produce a preferred options paper.

It sets out three broad options, including new garden village-type settlements to the east or west of Colchester and 3,000 new homes in north Colchester across the A12.

The document has already drawn opposition from villages to the north of Colchester, with the chariman of Boxted Parish Council saying he felt the village was “under siege”.

Consultation begins tomorrow and runs until Friday February 27.

People can give their views at a series of workshops (see below), to the service directly or by completing an online questionnaire.

Councillor Bill Frame, chairman of the Local Plan committee, said: “The Local Plan affects everyone and every organisation, both now and for many years to come – that’s why it is important to let us know what you think.

“It is crucial we make informed choices about the location and size of new development to allow the borough to accommodate growth and change in the most sustainable ways possible. The plan will also set out ways to preserve and enhance the borough’s existing rich built and natural heritage, we want to hear your views on the best ways to achieve this.”

To have your say go to www.colchester.gov.uk/planningconsult or contact the Spatial Policy Team via email at planning.policy@colchester.gov.uk, call 01206 282473 or 01206 508639, or write to Colchester Borough Council, FREEPOST RLSL-ZTSR-SGYA, Colchester, CO1 1ZE.

The consultation workshops

• Colchester Library, January 17 10am-2pm; January 27 2pm-6pm

• Asda, Turner Rise, Colchester, January 24 10am-2pm

• New Village Hall, Great Horkesley, January 31 10am-2pm

• Community Centre, Tiptree, February 7 10am-2pm

• The Mersea Centre, West Mersea, February 11 4-8pm

• Scout & Guide Hall, Wivenhoe, February 14, 10am-2pm

• Hythe Community Centre, Hythe, February 16, 12-8pm

• Parish Hall, Marks Tey, February 21 10am-2pm